Online psychological therapy effective in reducing depression

Published:
6 March, 2017

A global meta analysis demonstrates the effectiveness and social potential for self-guided, internet-based depression treatment. ​

One in seven Australians experience major depression in their lifetime, yet up to 70% of people reporting depression symptoms will not seek treatment. This has a huge impact on the health and well-being of our community and is a contributor to our rising suicide rate.

An international meta-analysis, published in JAMA Psychiatry, has provided irrefutable evidence that clinically developed, online psychological therapy provides a highly effective and accessible solution to this growing problem.

Black Dog Institute Director Prof Helen Christensen, one of the study authors and a global leader in the development and delivery of online mental health tools, says this important finding cannot be ignored by our governing health bodies.

“This research clearly shows that self-guided, online psychological therapy is effective for most people experiencing depression, regardless of severity or background.”

“We know that a significant number of Australians with depression won’t, or can’t, access formal mental health treatment due to factors such as stigma, cost, availability of services and time limitations.”

“They can undertake treatment where and when they feel most comfortable, and programs can be easily supported by a local GP as well as mental health practitioners.

“In Australia, e-mental health programs such as MyCompass are already widely available and have been proven to significantly reduce depression and anxiety symptoms.”

“Black Dog Institute researchers have conducted rigorous studies to show that e-mental health programs can be used to treat insomnia, reduce thoughts of suicide and prevent the onset of mental illness in young people.”

“The problem we have is not in developing good quality programs, it is getting the funding and support required to deliver them.”

“As mental health researchers and clinicians, we simply cannot understand why access to these cost effective and more user-friendly solutions are not being prioritised over expensive face-to-face therapy or medication-based treatment.